NBC’s Songland Season 2 premiere winner & 2x CCMA winning vocalist Madeline Merlo releases her most personal song to date, “Makeup.” The poignant tune questions the unchangeable nature of inherent traits, actions and viewpoints emphasizing that certain characteristics are innate, but behavior and perspective are not. Via vulnerable and introspective lyrics, “Makeup” encourages listeners to embrace their unique identity recognizing that you don’t have to pass on generational flaws and trauma.
“I started this song shortly after I left a therapy session,” said Merlo. “It took me a while to realize that I am the product of two people who should have never been married. In that session, my therapist established a valid point that stuck with me that went something like, ‘So many things will be passed down to you but that doesn’t mean you have to take them.’ I went home and started stomping this out on the treadmill and before I knew it, I had a first verse and chorus.”
Merlo bares her soul with this release, addressing the complexities of relationships and the transformative power of self-acceptance. The song serves as a testament to Merlo’s growth as an artist and as a person, inviting fans to connect with her on a deeply personal level. Fans can expect an accompanying music video for “Makeup,” adding a visual dimension to the emotional depth of the song and promising to be a cinematic journey, further enhancing the narrative woven into the lyrics.
Having “already proven her songwriting chops” (Billboard), Merlo has “long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). Similar to her critically acclaimed label-debut EP, Slide, that scored her praise from Billboard, E! News, PopCulture, Music Row and more, Merlo continues to build her niche as a songwriter and artist, as she brings to life powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up and to the lessons learned in-between. “…Ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape” (Country Swag), the “rising country star” (People) has a new project “Makeup,” out now, available on all streaming platforms.
About Madeline Merlo:
Award-winning songwriter and “rising Country star” (Country Now) Madeline Merlo “has long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). After scoring impressive Canadian radio play and winning the Canadian Country Music Association’s Rising Star Award (and being nominated twice for Female Artist of the Year), the “breakout talent” (American Songwriter) released a super-charged new song “Same Car” along with her spirited four-track EP Slide.
Produced by Zach Crowell (Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch) and backed by iridescent beats, Merlo’s collection of songs — all co-written by Merlo — deliver powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up, to the lessons learned in between. Winner of the season 2 premiere of the NBC songwriting reality TV series Songland, the Canadian songstress’ captivating track “Champagne Night,” recorded and released by Lady A, went on to be a three-week No. 1 song on US Country radio and earned her the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Songwriter of the Year.
A captivating addition to her repertoire showcasing her authentic storytelling and powerful vocals, Merlo released “Tim + Faith” in September 2023, infused with the warm feeling of everlasting love, the melodious ode and moving tribute pays homage to 90s Country music and the devoted marriage between country music power couple, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Following the release of “Tim + Faith” was a sensational joint release featuring Merlo’s original track “Take a Broken Heart” and her stunning rendition of Keith Urban’s iconic song, “You’ll Think of Me.” The latest from Merlo is one of her most personal songs to date. The poignant tune, titled “Makeup”, delves into the emotional struggle everyone faces when they muster up the courage to embrace their full self by pushing aside the fears associated with breaking away from often inherited traits, actions and viewpoints from the generation before us.
